#40daysuntil40

[soulcooljay]

The #birthday shenanigans start tonight! . The Art of the Turn Down w/ Salah The W Downtown . Tomorrow night is Kickin’ Up Dust W/ DJ Kemit @ The Sound Table . . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #JB #kickinupdust #artoftheturndown #salahananse #djkemit @thesoundtable @djkemit @salahananse @whotels (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp-h33HlkiU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18ws7j5yx29qv

[th3baronj-wisdom-blog]

40 Days until I’m 40 : 40 best moments so far #16

#16 Competed in a Triathlon

So to caveat it, I was only 17/18 and it was at school, but it was still a triathlon. I did 2, in my final 2 years at school, and they were team events where you competed as a pair. The swimming was replaced by 2 man kayaks, plus obligitary bike ride and run. 

The kayak was several kilometres on a lake, the bike was a downhill charge followed by a slog back uphill, and the run was a 10K hill run across a peat landscape - not easy.

the first year the kayak was a nightmare. I was about 6inches taller, and bigger than my mate, and we kept trying to paddle in circles as I was more powerful, quite amusing but not good for our times! 

The bike ride I loved, a blast down a hill for a few kilometres, a slide turn at the bottom, then straight back up. I was pretty good at that one, finishing 2nd overall in that timed stage the second year.

The running was hardest for me. The second year I competed with a true runner, we decided to let him go ahead and get in a good time, our combined was what was important, and I struggled on as best I could. Losing a trainer in the peat bog for a minute didnt help mind you!

Overall, first year we finished about 20th of 40 teams. Second year, we finished 5th I think, which i was chuffed to bits about. Not bad at all.

[soulcooljay]

#1dayuntil40 So, before this chapter closes, I reflect on the woman who brought me into this world and prepared me for this journey. I always joke with a friend about the term ‘Day 1’ because it’s rarely used to describe those who were there from literally day 1. Lena Bing is truly my Day 1 & my Day Forever. She was born in Oakland Park, FL and the youngest of 12 surviving siblings. She grew up on a migrant camp and had to pick vegetables & cotton growing up. She spent summers traveling to work in hotels in housekeeping to bring money home for the family. She lived in a home where they didn’t have enough utensils for everyone to eat, so they learned how to eat w/ their hands. When she was in her teens, she was part of the 1st group of Black students to integrate Richards Middle school. She had to fight w/ students who hated her because of her skin color. After her mom passed when she was 16/17, she was able to move into a new home, gain a new family and thrive. She got her associates degree. Then she had to raise a son on her own. . . She had to deal a son who didn’t have his father. A son with low self-esteem. A son who tried to run away from home. A son who was energetic and active. A son who got bored with school often. A son who questioned his existence. A son who was raw, closed off and isolated at times. A son who made mistakes. All of the amazing people in my life she introduced me to them and approved them. She made sure what she couldn’t teach me, she found someone that could. She played every role in my life that was needed for me to survive and grow. She made a dollar stretch to $10k just for me to experience all I could. She sacrificed a life she could’ve enjoyed to make my life memorable. . . We’ve done everything together. It’s been the 2 of us since Day 1. If God gave me the choice to do it over, I would choose her as my mother every single time. I am Lena’s Son. My life’s goal is to never fail her. I hope I make her proud. . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #lenasson #anthony #jamesanthony #bing #beanie #lena #justthe2ofus #lauderdale #blackmoms #blackmothers #ilovemymom (at Fort Lauderdale, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp8b7RTF5vg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xuujgxr43qlf

[soulcooljay]

#7daysto40 So that’s me standing in the chair, apparently about to sing happy birthday to me or blow out the candles. The little girl with the hat is my Aunt Suretta. This photo is about one of the most important Black women in my life, Mother Francis. Her was Myrtle Francis, and she was an entrepreneur and pioneer in Fort Lauderdale. Born in South Carolina, she was an ordained minister at the age of 18. She moved her family to Florida and founded Universal Pentecostal Church where she was the Head Pastor. Despite women being told they couldn’t pastor or lead a church, she was doing it in the 1950’s. She also was a DJ on WRBD for 15 years & was their religious broadcast director and gospel DJ. She was a landlord, had her own Hands of Friendship foundation and more. The title as “Mother” wasn’t just a nickname either. She was a temporary foster mom as well as adopting several children and raising them. . . True story. I was a scrawny little kid. So every time Mother needed help to get up from the couch, she’d call me to come her up. I used to struggle badly. You’d think I was trying to lift a building. She would just laugh and giggle at me trying to help her up lol. I was her Anthony, her little grandbaby. I used to run to her every time I saw her. . . Mother was the quintessential definition of a strong Black women. I’ve been asked whether I have an issue dealing w/ strong Black women. Well, those are the only women I’ve ever dealt with. She’s the last matriarch of what Black women are. The most amazing thing about Mother was how she loved & invested in Black men. She never used or weaponized her strength or success against Black men. She’d pray for, teach, invest & help them no matter what. She’s one of the major reasons I am forever indebted to and in love with Black women. She was amazing. Love you Mother. . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #motherfrancis #james #bing #beanie #jb #soulcooljay #iloveblackwomen #blackgirlmagic #strongblackwoman #blackmatriarch #jamesanthony (at Lauderhill, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BptK9sBlsA8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jgmc3ypgdnar

[soulcooljay]

#10daysto40 So... remember when I talked the time my high school art teacher encouraged me to try out and model? Well, this is the impromptu photo shoot we had near the cafeteria and band room area to submit for the competition. I guess you can say this is my 1st comp card. I remember I had no clue she was going to do this. I didn’t try and dress for anything that day except for a normal day at school. She saw me walking in the hallway and told me to come by after one of my classes. Ms. V was the photographer with a decent camera. This was me at 16 trying to do serious poses and smiles like I was a serious model lol. I didn’t have a haircut at all, I wasn’t prepared at all to do any kind of real or semi-pro photo shoot. Man, these pictures would never have flown in this era. They probably wouldn’t have given me a second in today’s climate. . It’s crazy, I remember how bad I wanted to grow a beard back then. I was trying to be an adult way before my time. I’m kinda hairy, so I could grow my facial pretty early. The problem is my beard could never connect. Regardless of how I tried to so-call shave in the area to make the hair grow, it never worked. Yet, when I went to my barber Daniel at the time, I remember him telling me that he was never shape a full beard for me then. He said I was too young to wear a beard like a grown man. You know what, he was right. I was too young. I appreciate Daniel and the OG’s back then for not being afraid to tell a lil man when to slow down. You think you want to be grown until those responsibilities, bills and consequences hit you. Then you start wishing you were a kid again. Thank you Ms. V for believing in me, and thanks Daniel for checking me and keeping this kid a kid... . . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #model #modelsearch #anthony #james #bjng #beanie #jb #bingbing #soulcooljay #jay #mrsmellgood #jamie #lauderdale #davie #floridaboy #vintage (at Davie, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bplb6V1D17B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6tl0fjdkeqzl

[soulcooljay]

#12daysto40 It’s funny how some friendships are created and built. I have a joke with one of the women in my Circle of Reliance that she seems to take all of my friends and they become her friends or better friends to her than me. You never know how friendships will develop or shape up. One of those friendships happened when I met Brent. I was working in Dillard’s and befriended a co-worker named Q. He was a singer/songwriter as well, so our interests in music made us click instantly. One time he entered into an award competition out of Boca Raton and won, so we went in support of him. Brent was also friends with him and came from Chicago to support Q as well. Brent and I started talking music and we instantly clicked. Next thing I know, we became closer friends than we were with Q. That’s how I made my first trip to Chi-town to check him out. We’ve remained friends since then. . True story. When Brent came to Florida, it was a couple months after I 1st met @therealdwele | At the award show, he asked me who I was listening to. I told him my favs where Dave Hollister and Joe, but I was really digging Dwele. He proceeds to tell me, “Dwe’s best songs didn’t make Subject. You should hear his Rize album.” I’m like, “really? What is Rize?” He says, “it’s Dwele’s first album. Plus the guy who wrote Hold On is real dope! He has better songs than that.” Me: who wrote Hold On? Brent: Eric Roberson. Me: who is Eric Roberson? Brent’s famous words: “Let me school you son on this music.” When got back to Chi-town, he sent me burned CD’s of Dwele’s Rize album, @erro44 The Vault 1.5 & a mix with @raheem_devaughn @jamiecullum Triple P, S1 & a few more soul artists. He also sent me authentic Chicago house music. So Brent is the reason I truly discovered Eric Roberson & Raheem DeVaughn. The rest is history. . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #chicagohouse #jb #bing #beanie #anthony #friendship #chitown #music #anthony #soulcooljay #bingbing #indiesoul #honestmusic (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpgPUvSjhjw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tpgjl7vsxgrs

[soulcooljay]

#14daysto40 I’ve known this one all her life. In many ways, we lived the same experiences coming up and maturing in the environment we were in. We both love to write. We’ve both written poetry, but she is a lot better at it than I ever was. She followed me to FAMU, and we both experienced a PK kind of life growing up. Although we are cousins, our relationship goes beyond just being family. I’ve always tried to be available as more of a big brother or someone she could lean on or call on to talk. We’ve always had our own connection, our own language that we communicate at. We both understood what was expected of us because of who we are or who our parents were, but we both knew who we wanted to be and how we wanted to expand and grow into. That is what makes us so special. . I remember years back Emily called me to update me on what was happening with her. We hadn’t talk in depth for a while, and she told me everything that was going on. From personal to professional, she was open with me about what she was feeling and what was happening. The one thing that comforted me was that she felt comfortable enough to share with. The one thing I’ve always loved another is that no matter how much we clown, there’s never been a judgment zone between us. We can be who we are authentically with each other without judgement. We can laugh at each other and love each other right after. I’m so proud of her and I love her dearly. We will always have our own language and I wouldn’t have it any other way... . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #emily #anthony #jb #james #bing #beanie #bingbing #soulcooljay #jay #cooljay #jamie (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpbDqGsjzYz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jdmoxwcndalc

[soulcooljay]

16daysto40 Here’s my #WCW for every Wednesday of every year for history. Crazy thing is, after this lady graduated from high school she went onto Broward Community College to get her associate degree. Yet, she stopped her pursuit for higher education when she had me. She would go on to work 2 jobs for most of my young life just to keep us in the house I grew up in and put food on the table. Back when my mom was a young mother, the wage gap in America was crazy and common. Working for the Urban League, she only made $500 a month, while the mortgage on our house was $360. I have no idea how we survived living off of just $140 for everything else, but I never for one second felt that I had gone without. I didn’t miss anything. She worked so hard to make sure I had the best childhood and environment I could ever live in. She worked many nights, but she also found the time to still make sure I got to basketball games, go on school field trips, and enjoy the things kids loved. . And yet, when she had done all of that, this young woman here would go back to college and get her B.A. in Public Administration, after waiting more than close to 30 years to make sure her son graduated from college. She was a hard worker, leader, teacher, organizer, disciplinarian... but she finally got the chance to finish being a student and became a graduate. Motherhood may have delayed it, but it couldn’t stop it. One of the many reasons why Lena is the greatest of them all... . . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #james #bing #lilanthony #beanie #jb #bingbing #blackmothers #blackmotherhood #blackmoms #mommalena (at Fort Lauderdale, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVzNdGjAgj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tftw15kt1fhw

[soulcooljay]

#17daysto40 Look at this. Mom and me. Here I am as the ring boy of a wedding. . Fun fact: The title of “ring boy” was probably my first job and occupation as a little kid. Everyone who got married at my church I was the ring boy for their wedding. I can’t tell you how many little white tuxedos my mom had to rent just for me to do it. I was probably in at least 6 or 7 weddings as a ring boy when I was young. If I would’ve gotten paid, man I could have owned a share of Apple stock when the company first started. I finally graduated to junior groomsman at my god-sister Tina’s wedding. Weddings are always fun, but this just reminds of how much love I received from my mom. A single mother working 2 jobs to keep us afloat, but she was always willing to lug my around town to be all of these weddings or anything I was in. . Funny thing is, I’ve held every position in a wedding party. From ring boy to groomsman, usher to announcer and best man; I’ve been it all. Never been the groom though. One day... . . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #jb #beanie #james #bing #jay #jamie #bingbing #soulcooljay #cooljay #lauderdale #floridaboy #broward #wedding #ringboy https://www.instagram.com/p/BpTQ2QIDZCI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wo16y7anfj3e

[soulcooljay]

#19daysto40 There is a definition that states that a family is a group of individuals derived from a common stock. Whether by blood, marriage, spiritual bond, fraternal bond, or kinship; a family can be constructed in many ways. My life experience has been a mixture of many different constructs and variations of the concept of family. This pic looks like another birthday celebration of mine, but to my left is my cousin Chevonna. We grew up together as kids, but she’s a little older than I am. She always had a little rebellion in her, wanted to do things her way. But she has always been one of the most caring people you can ever meet. Coming up in the era we did and around the people we came up under, she is the definition of a true Florida & Southern Black woman. She can cook her butt off, she knows how to play Spades(it’s a requirement being born in Lauderdale), talk trash with the best of them, be strong, and knows how to run and take care of a family. These are things Southern boys kill for to have in their companions, but she’s also mastered something that they would die for. In my 14,581 days of walking this earth; I’ve found nothing greater given or created by humanity than to be loved and encouraged by a woman, especially a Black woman. I remember visiting her home for the 1st time in since I moved to ATL. As soon as I walked in, she greeted me as if I was coming home from during a 3-year triple tour in a war zone. She introduced me like a was an A-list celeb. I’m light years from it. We a great time, along with my god brother Stanley and friends. The whole time she’s being encouraging and hyping me up. There’s just something when you get around family and you feel loved. Chevonna has mastered the art of making those in her presence feel loved. Today is her wedding day. So on this memory journey of mine, I say congratulations. As I sit here waiting for her to walk down the aisle, I know the gentleman who has made this commitment has done so because he discovered that’s there is no one who can make him feel as loved and encouraged as she can. Love you Chevonna... . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #jb #anthony #beanie #soulcooljay #jay #bing #family (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpNYTriDXa6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l5xcwy4y1w8g

[soulcooljay]

#20daysto40 I’m not sure my mom knew what she was getting into when she had me. I’m not sure if she had a plan I her mind of how she was going to mold this little boy into a man. All I know is that she somehow and for some reason seemed to have a smile on her face with me. I can’t count the endless amount of times we’ve laughed with and at each other, the times we’ve sung and dance with each other and so much more. I know this woman had a few hands full when she was raising me, but I’m eternally grateful she never gave up on me. One of many lessons she talked me is how to represent myself in the world. She told me this: ”When you walk out of this house, you don’t just represent yourself. You represent me, your father and your family. When they look at you, they are not just looking at you. They are looking at who is raising you, who’s around you and who’s guiding you. So when you act up and your behavior is bad, that reflects on me as your mother, not just you.” I didn’t think as a child how my behavior affected other people. She talk me that being a little black boy, you represented more than just yourself. I represent everyone who’s apart of me, who made me and who look like me. You may think that’s too much of a weight or pressure for a little kid to have. I say this: if I didn’t have that weight on me then, I would’ve never developed the strength or muscles to carry it now. Unfortunately, some of us live and die by the perceptions of others and not the merit of our individual character or personality. She understood how this world would judge me, and how it would judge her based on my behavior. She always stressed that her #1 thing with me was that I exemplify and exhibit good behavior. I failed at it often, but because of her I learned to get it right. Thanks mom... . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #jb #bing #james #beanie #bingbing #soulcooljay #jay #cooljay #blingbing #bowtie #sundayservice https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLzZK9jLUV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uir78zh1mxt3

[soulcooljay]

#21daysto40 #fbf back to that time I tried to get on at a modeling agency and have dreams of being in a magazine. I remember they told me to bring my favorite outfit. I was really into NY Undercover, especially @malikyoba character on that show. Being a kid born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, you would never associate me with plaid or butter timberlands at all. Yet, for some strange reason I related to his character a lot, especially the relationship he had with his son. It wasn’t a relationship that mimicked my own, but I think it was one I aspired to have but never did. I also related to that character’s background because it was similar to mines, just not in same state. So, between J.C. Williams and being in Baltimore for the summers and a couple of Christmas holidays, I think I was one of few kids rocking tims in “Fawt Lickadale” and probably the only Florida born kid doing it. I loved this shirt because I had the exact baggy khakis to match and butter tims to go with it. Was it best for a modeling shoot? Now that I look on it, not at all. But it was me lol. That young face never imagined he’d be where he is now. I wish I could talk to this guy. But this was the first real point in my life where I tried to follow a dream. I was shy, afraid and scared to do anything before this. I hated rejection, afraid of people not liking me or being a failure. I think in some ways I’m still afraid to fail. One thing I have gained is that I’m not afraid to fall. It’s the 1st step in becoming unafraid to fail. Growth is amazing... . . . #countdownto40 #40daysuntil40 #unafraidtofall #bing #james #anthony #beanie #jb #soulcooljay #orlando #bingbing #milemarker40 (at Orlando, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpIvFvqjMS0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qimhefkqr1f0

[soulcooljay]

#23daysto40 On this Way Back Wednesday aka #wbw let’s go back to 5 years ago. I had this dream of bringing my #soulascensionweekend (aka my 30th bday weekend celebration) to ATL and build it here. We were successful. Great crowd, great vibes and we just had fun that night. Most successful one I pulled off w/ the help of @muddywater_mike & @595north Music is my love and passion. To be in it, do it, create it or produce experiences for people is the ultimate high for me. I have a story with each of these guys. So @therealdwele aka Dwele is the reason I discovered & fell in love with indie soul. I wouldn’t know Erro or any other artist if it wasn’t for Dwele. I met Dwe in the Dillard’s at the Broward in 2003 while I was working there and he was on a promo tour for his 1st commercial release Subject. We went over to check him out and he gave us a copy of the album and the rest is history. Rich @richmedina I was introduced to by Jo aka @jodinedorce He played at the Highland Inn & Ballroom on a Tuesday night. It maybe the best dance experience I’ve ever had in ATL. I was mesmerized at the craftsmanship in the art of DJ’ing he was displaying and this music I wasn’t aware of. Been cool ever since. I discovered @erro44 through Dwele. My friend Brent gave me burned CD of his Vault 1.5 album. Listened to every day for 6 months straight. Truth: the reason I went to DC for my fraternity’s centennial was actually to see Eric perform at Club 930. I reached out 2 him on “MySpace” & told him I was coming up 2 see him. The show was incredible. I met him after the show and he remembered that message I sent. That was 12 years ago. Known him ever since. I actually met @djkemit at the Soul Music Summit in 2006 briefly in passing. When I came back to ATL in 2009, I went to one of his Spread Love events and I was hooked. Got to know him through @salahananse and @moodsmusic He’s been an incredible brother music pillar in ATL. Glad to know him. . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #JB #soulcooljay #beanie #jay #cooljay #atlanta #georgia https://www.instagram.com/p/BpD96xKD6xl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15yffqrwba8bz

[soulcooljay]

#24daysto40 This was my 1st trip going to Disney World. That’s me in the stroller. The lady standing behind me is my great-grandmother. Everyone calls her Mother Bennette. She was born and raised in South Carolina. There are family records that states she’s 101 years old. In the local south Florida faith community she’s pretty well known. From Attorney George Allen to every pastor in the city. If you’ve ever been to the Mc Donald’s on Broward Blvd. & 31st Ave. in the morning, she’s a celebrity there. She’s the only person I know where the cashiers at Mc Donald’s brings her food to her and serve her. She had the newspaper guy come from the corner and bring her the paper. They even used to get her car washed in the parking lot at Mc Donald’s. I swear she owns stock in those stores, but the owner, owner’s son and every manager & employee knows her by name. The older gentlemen came just to be with her and joke with her. She had her own spot where she sat there. She still has that spot in the new location. They treat her like royalty there. I learned from that. Mother Bennette loves to talk trash, gossip & make fun of people, but she taught me a lot and truly loved her great-grandson. She taught me how to write a check and count money (yes I still write checks on occasion). She put me in pre-school because I used to run her ragged going up & down the stairs in her home. One time she thought I was so skinny and thought my mom wasn’t feeding me. She decided she would cook dinner for me. When she found out how much I actually ate, that lasted a week lol. She’s been through a lot, but she’s still living and just as sharp as ever. Every time she sees me, she asks have I gone “fishing” (dating or searching for a wife). She jokes that I have pretty skin and hands so I don’t work lol. Yet, she’s always trying to give me a little change like she used to when I was a little boy, tells me she loves me, and let’s everyone know I’m her “great grand”. I’m blessed to still have my great-grandma around. . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #lilanthony #james #bing #soulcooljay #JB #beanie (at Orlando, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBVVbmjwxA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1iol8ctykgbw7

[soulcooljay]

#25daysto40 This was the crew growing up. These are my cousins Brandy, Melissa and Kevin aka “Kabo”. I’m not sure what pose I was doing there, but I rolled with them my entire childhood. Birthdays, holidays, weekends, it didn’t matter. We were together all the time. The cousin I was with the most was Kabo. He taught me a lot. He was super talented. He was a visual artist, taught me how to draw Bart Simpson. He learned how to cut hair and was a local barber in the hood. He learned how to work on cars. He could do anything with his hands. He was one that introduced me to hip hop. He put me in Geto Boys, 8 Ball & MJG and OutKast. He was a smooth talker. I remember I was “going with” (aka dating) this young lady in middle school and we broke up. We called her one day and I put him on the phone and after 20 minutes she was his girlfriend. He finished high school early, could have done whatever he wanted. I remember us as kids and we loved to see people shout in church (praise God in Pentecostal churches by dancing in a marching motion). So every time we thought the praise atmosphere was dying down or warming up, we’d start clapping to get spark or keep that praise vibe going. We just wanted to see people shout. If you remember Boyz N The Hood, he was more like Doughboy and I was like Tre. Yeah he showed me how to draw, but he also showed me my 1st quarter stick of dynamite. Our journeys took different highways, but I’ve never met a more giving and real man in my life. The last time I saw him was in college, he came and picked me up and we rode out. He helped me move in my dorm the year before; so he asked me about school, how I was and asked if I needed some money. He never asked me for anything and told me if I got into trouble to call him. Haven’t seen him in 20+ years, but he’s the best cousin, brother, friend I ever had. Nothing or no one can take away from me our memories or bond. My blood. Forever grateful 4 Kabo. . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #anthony #bing #beanie #oaklandpark #lauderdale #james #JB (at Fort Lauderdale, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo-s8ItDV5C/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nfho0kd3bbwm

[soulcooljay]

#27daysto40 Man, if you know anything about the Lauderdale, then you know about the infamous Oakland Park Flea Market, aka The Flea. Forget the Broward Mall(I refuse to call it by its new name), Galleria Mall & before Sawgrass was built. Everyone from the hood or urban areas went to The Flea for everything. You could by clothes, jewelry, shoes, get a cut, movies, car radios, lunch, ears pierced and everything in between there. Plus, on the weekends, The Flea Market was like a local festival especially on holidays. Everyone was out there in the parking lot, riding through sporting the latest in urban fashion, gold grills, dunks and short dogs riding on Tru’s and Vogue’s (real south Florida peeps know what those are) and a lot more. We used to get first day of school fits from here, and I used to get suits tailored from the best tailor in Florida here. You got everything from knockoffs to the original here. I got my 1st car audio system from there. You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t bumping with my two 10” speakers. Man, you used to see cats buying Valentines Day gifts from here, including me. The Flea is a landmark in Fort Lauderdale. So many memories from here, and I hope it never goes away. . . . #40daysuntil40 #countdownto40 #JB #beanie #anthony #soulcooljay #bing #theyearof40 #blingbing #lauderdale #oaklandpark #florida (at Fort Lauderdale, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo5c6rXjYxu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2pp8rkse06ct